Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders registry system in Iran: Validity of data sets.

BACKGROUND: A targeted structure for recording, monitoring, and follow-up of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is in demand. To obtain the correct and uniform standardized information registry system, it is necessary to use a data set that has good validity to help policy-makers systematically plan for improvements in the quality of care. The main goal of the present study was to develop a NMOSD data set for the national registry system in Iran (NMORI) and to evaluate the validity of the presented data set. METHODS: The NMORI data set consisted of baseline characteristics, disease and exposure history, background and past medical history, diagnosis and treatment, clinical features, imaging, and para-clinical findings. The content validity was evaluated by 18 experts from Iran, Japan, and Denmark by scoring each of the questionnaire items in term of transparency, simplicity, and relevance. According to the points given, the content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) scores were calculated and compared with the critical limit. RESULTS: The current study was designed as a 125-items data set which was considered valid. In terms of relevance 110 out of 125 items, simplicity 113 out of 125 items, and transparency 123 out of 125 items had Item-CVI>0.79. All Scale-level-CVI values were greater than 0.9, showing noticeable content validity. In this data set, 112 items had CVR > 0.49, which was considered an acceptable level of significance. CONCLUSION: The implementing of NMORI is important in a developing country such as Iran with significant increasing prevalence of this disease. This registry facilitates a uniform and valid diagnosis and is considered valid for clinical investigation and epidemiological research on NMOSD. Scientists and healthcare policymakers can rely on a validated data set in order to have access to accurate data.

Prediction of novel biomarkers for gastric intestinal metaplasia and gastric adenocarcinoma using bioinformatics analysis.

Background & aim: The histologic and molecular changes from intestinal metaplasia (IM) to gastric cancer (GC) have not been fully characterized. The present study sought to identify potential alterations in signaling pathways in IM and GC to predict disease progression; these alterations can be considered therapeutic targets. Materials & methods: Seven gene expression profiles were selected from the GEO database. Discriminate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by EnrichR. The STRING database, Cytoscape, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), cBioPortal, NetworkAnalyst, MirWalk database, OncomiR, and bipartite miRNA‒mRNA correlation network was used for downstream analyses of selected module genes. Results: Analyses revealed that extracellular matrix-receptor interactions (ITGB1, COL1A1, COL1A2, COL4A1, FN1, COL6A3, and THBS2) in GC and PPAR signaling pathway interactions (FABP1, APOC3, APOA1, HMGCS2, and PPARA and PCK1) in IM may play key roles in both the carcinogenesis and progression of underlying GC from intestinal metaplasia. IM enrichment indicated that this is closely related to digestion and absorption. The TF-hub gene regulatory network revealed that AR, TCF4, SALL4, and ESR1 were more important for hub gene expression. It was revealed that the development and prediction of GC may be affected by hsa-miR-29. It was found that PTGR1, C1orf115, CRYL1, ALDOB, and SULT1B1 were downregulated in GC and upregulated in IM. Therefore, they might have tumor suppressor activity in GC progression. Conclusion: New potential biomarkers and pathways involved in GC and IM were identified that are important for the transformation of GC from IM to adenocarcinoma and can be therapeutic targets for GC.

Effect of ginseng on fatigue related to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: The effects of ginseng on fatigue have been proven in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), which have several similar manifestations to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of ginseng on fatigue in NMOSD patients. Methods: In this double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial, 64 patients were recruited and were allocated into two study groups (ginseng or placebo) via block randomization. The participants received either 250-mg ginseng or placebo twice daily for a 3-month period. Also, the measurement of outcome was performed using the valid and reliable Persian version of fatigue severity scale (FSS) questionnaire, which was filled by patients once after enrollment in the study and once at the end of the study post-intervention. Results: In total, 58 patients finished the study with no major side effects. There were no significant differences in demographic, clinical, as well as FSS between two study groups (p>0.05). Ginseng supplementation significantly reduced fatigue (40.21±13.51 vs. 28.97±14.18; p˂0.01), while patients in the placebo group showed significantly higher fatigue score after 3 months post-intervention (35.03±13.51 vs. 38.79±12.27; P: 0.02). The extent of changes in the fatigue score in the ginseng group was significantly greater than in the placebo group (p ˂0.01). Conclusion: This study revealed positive effects of ginseng on reducing fatigue in NMOSD patients with no major side effects. In this regard, further studies are warranted to evaluate and clarify the effects of ginseng on fatigue in NMOSD.

Time interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the influential factors: A national registry-based study.

OBJECTIVE: The time to diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is of great importance for early treatment, thereby reducing the disability and burden of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the time from the onset of clinical symptoms to the diagnosis of MS and to evaluate the factors associated with a late diagnosis in Iranian MS patients. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with MS who were registered in the National MS Registry System of Iran (NMSRI). RESULTS: Overall, 23291 MS patients registered in 18 provinces of Iran were included in this study. The mean (standard deviation) interval between the onset of the disease and diagnosis of MS was 13.42 (32.40) months, and the median was one month. The diagnostic interval of 41.6% of patients was less than one month, and 14.8% of them had a one-month time to diagnosis. Patients with an age of onset below 18 years and those diagnosed after the age of 50 years had a longer time to diagnosis (P<0.001). Patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) had the longest time to diagnose and those with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) had the shortest time (P<0.001). The results of negative binominal regression showed that the average rate of delay in diagnosis in women was 12% less than that in men. The average delay in diagnosis in patients with a positive family history of MS was 23% more than that in others. The rate of delay in the diagnosis of patients with PPMS and secondary progressive MS was 2.22 and 1.66 times higher, respectively, compared with RRMS. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study revealed that more than half of the MS patients were diagnosed within a one-month interval from the symptom onset, which is an acceptable period. More attention should be paid to patients' access to medical facilities and MS specialists.

Investigating the role of circulating tumor cells in gastric cancer: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Investigating the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and their characteristics is still controversial in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, in this study, to provide a comprehensive review and meta-analyses of the literature on association of CTCs with gastric cancer, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Medline were searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted during February 2022 using the keywords. Risk of bias, hazard ratios (HRs), and risk differences (RD) were assessed. Forty-five studies containing 3,342 GC patients from nine countries were assessed. The overall prevalence of CTC in GC was 69.37% (60.27, 77.78). The pooled result showed that increased mortality in GC patients was significantly associated with positive CTCs, poor overall survival (HR = 2.73, 95%CI 2.34-3.24, p < 0.001), and progression-free survival rate (HR = 2.78, 95%CI 2.01-3.85, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses regarding markers, detection methods, treatment type, presence of distance metastasis, presence of lymph node metastasis, and overall risk of bias showed significant associations between the groups in terms of the incidence rates of CTCs, OS, and PFS. In addition, the results of risk differences based on sampling time showed that the use of the cell search method (RD: - 0.19, 95%CI (- 0.28, - 0.10), p < 0.001), epithelial marker (RD: - 0.12, 95%CI (- 0.25, 0.00), p 0.05) and mesenchymal markers (RD: - 0.35, 95%CI (- 0.57, - 0.13), p 0.002) before the treatment might have a higher diagnostic power to identify CTCs and also chemotherapy treatment (RD: - 0.17, 95%CI (- 0.31, - 0.03), p 0.016) could significantly reduce the number of CTCs after the treatment. We also found that the risk differences between the clinical early and advanced stages were not statistically significant (RD: - 0.10, 95%CI (- 0.23, 0.02), P 0.105). Also, in the Lauren classification, the incidence of CTC in the diffuse type (RD: - 0.19, 95%CI (- 0.37, - 0.01), P0.045) was higher than that in the intestinal type. Meta-regression analysis showed that baseline characteristics were not associated with the detection of CTCs in GC patients. According to our systematic review and meta-analysis, CTCs identification may be suggested as a diagnostic technique for gastric cancer screening, and the outcomes of CTC detection may also be utilized in the future to create personalized medicine programs.

A national registry-based study of ethnic differences in people with multiple sclerosis in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between MS and ethnicity has been understudied in the Middle East compared to the United States and Europe. As Iran as the highest prevalence of MS in the Middle East, we decided to investigate the demographic and clinical differences in people with MS (pwMS) from major ethnicities Iran. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study using data from National Multiple Sclerosis Registry in Iran. PwMS from six provinces were chosen and interviewed for determining their ethnicity. Persians (Fars), Kurds, Lurs, Azeris and Arabs with a clear ethnic background were included. Recorded data from the registry was used to compare the demographic and clinical features. RESULTS: A total of 4015 pwMS (74.2% female) were included in the study with an average age of 36.76 ± 9.68 years. Persians and Kurds had the highest percentage of pwMS in youngest and oldest age groups, respectively, with 2.9% and 5.7% (p<0.01). The highest average age of onset was seen in Persians (29.47 ± 8.89) and the lowest observed in Mazandaranis (26.82 ± 7.68, p<0.01). Azeris and Kurds had the highest proportions of pwMS diagnosed <18 and >55, at rates of 12% and 1.6%, respectively (p<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in distribution of phenotypes (p<0.01) and time to progression to secondary progressive MS (p<0.01) such that Persians had the highest rate of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) at 19.3% and Arabs had highest rates of relapsing-remitting MS (86.2%) and secondary progressive MS (16.4%). Lurs, Azeris and Mazandaranis had significantly more patients progressing to secondary-progressive MS <5 years from diagnosis (p<0.01). There was a significant difference in number of relapses between the ethnicities (p<0.01) with Lurs having the highest proportion of participants reporting >4 relapses with 23.0% and Azeris having the highest percentage of pwMS reporting no relapse (53.0%). Kurds had the highest Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) average at 2.93 ± 1.99 and Lurs had the lowest with 1.28 ± 1.25 (p<0.01). The differences in prevalence of positive family history for the whole cohort between ethnicities were significant (P=0.02), ranging from 12.8% in Kurds to 19.6% in Persians. CONCLUSION: We found Persians to have higher rates of pediatric MS and higher rates of CIS. Kurds and Lurs had higher and lower EDSS scores, respectively. Lurs and Persian had higher annual relapse rates. We also found lower rates of SPMS among Arabs and earlier progression to SPMS in Lurs, Azeris and Mazandaranis. Such differences highlight the importance of the potential role of ethnicities in diagnosis and prognosis of MS, especially considering their observation within the geographical limits of a single country.

The effect of crocin-selenium nanoparticles on the cognition and oxidative stress markers of multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized triple-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The prevalence of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is estimated to be approximately 40-60%. There is an increasing body of evidence regarding the impact of both selenium and crocin as antioxidant agents on cognitive function. In the present study, for the first time, we investigated the effect of crocin-selenium nanoparticles (Cor@SeNs) on cognitive function and oxidative stress markers in MS patients. A triple-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted among 60 MS patients. The participants were randomly divided in a 1:1 ratio to either the Cor@SeNs or placebo group, employing block randomization. During the course of 12 weeks, the participants received Cor@SeNs capsules, containing 5.74 mg crocin and 55 mcg Selenium, or placebo capsules. Cognition assessed using the Persian version of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione reductase (GR) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) determined by colorimetric kits. Data analysis was performed in SPSS, version 26. P < 0.05 was considered as the significant range. The mean ± SD of TAC change was 0.03 ± 0.07 mM vs. - 0.03 ± 0.09 mM in intervention and placebo groups, respectively (Time × group effect P: 0.01; effect size: 0.10). The time effect of intervention on the California Verbal Learning Test second edition (CVLT-II) (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.29), CVLT-II-delay (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.29), and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.18) was increasing and significant. In addition, the time effect of intervention on GR activity was significant and decreasing in both groups (P < 0.01; effect size: 0.20). Our results suggested a significant effect of the Cor@SeNs intervention in improving TAC. We also observed a significant improvement in cognitive function in both groups during our study. However, although not statistically significant, a higher amount of change in cognitive function and serum antioxidant markers was noted in the Cor@SeNs group compared to the placebo group. This is the first study on this nano product with low dose of selenium and crocin. More investigations with longer duration and varied doses are suggested.

Challenges of patients with multiple sclerosis in receiving health care services in Iran.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating, non-traumatic, neurological disorder in young adults and can reduce quality of life (QoL) by interfering with the ability to work, leisure activities, and routine living tasks. Various studies have shown the dissatisfaction of people with MS in different areas of care services. Regarding the patients' weakness with care and services, we sought to identify the challenges for patients with MS in receiving care and services in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016-2018 using a researcher-made questionnaire (designed by MS Specialists in an MS research center). The questionnaire examined the care challenges in four areas: 1) costs of medication, hospitalization, and rehabilitation services, 2) family support, insurance system, and job protection, 3) access to transportation system and treatment team, 4) quality of the provided care and services. Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 945 respondents. The mean age of responders was 35.92 years. In total, 731 (77.8) participants were women and 208 (22.2) were men. Academic education was reported among 615 (65.3) participants and 367 (40.2) were employed during the study, while 99 (10.5) of the subjects were not able to walk a minimum of 20 meters. The prioritization of care services challenges was as follows: the cost of pharmaceutical services (49.1), lack of telephone counseling (47.4), uninsured home rehabilitation (44.7), lack of qualified care centers (41.2), and rehabilitation costs (40.2). Conclusion: We found that patients who could not walk at least 20 meters and unemployed individuals had more problems and lower QoL. The patients who had non-academic education had more challenges with the cost of medication, transportation, and lack of familial support. This study shows the challenges of MS patients in receiving health care in Iran that vary in age, education, employment, and ability to walk. As the abovementioned challenges are of great importance in determining the QoL of people with MS, an appropriate solution is provided in this study to overcome these challenges.

Epidemiological parameters of multiple sclerosis in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease with a high burden and disability. There are reports of various medications' side effects on patients with MS. The aim of the study is to determine the characteristics and medicine usage distribution among patients with MS in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in Iran. Methods: This registry-based cross-sectional study was performed among MS cases in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. The epidemiological data were collected from the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI) from 2019 to 2022. The information collected included age, sex, family history, type of MS, age at MS onset and diagnosis, MS symptoms, physical condition, and history of medication use. All tests were performed at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS software. Results: A total of 416 patients included in this study. Among them, 325 individuals (78%) were women with mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age of 37.35 ± 8.51 years. No significant difference was observed between men and women in terms of age, type of MS disease, family history of MS, and physical condition (P > 0.05). The results showed that the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score in female patients (1.41) was different from the EDSS score in male patients (1.77) (P < 0.05). Most of the patients often used interferon beta (IFN-ß). Conclusion: The results provided new insight into the epidemiology and medicine patterns of patients with MS in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. The epidemiological situation of MS in this province is similar to other parts of Iran. Planning according to national programs is suggested for the management and control of MS.

Waterpipe and cigarette smoking and drug and alcohol consumption, and the risk of primary progressive multiple sclerosis: A population-based case-control study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic central nervous system disease, and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is one the main types of MS, which has unknown environmental risk factors. The present study was conducted with the aim to identify the association of waterpipe and cigarette smoking, substance abuse, and alcohol consumption with the risk of PPMS development. Methods: A population-based, case-control study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, on 146 PPMS cases and 294 controls. PPMS cases were diagnosed and confirmed by neurologists. Standard random digit dialing was used to select sex-matched healthy control participants from the same source population as the cases. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR). Results: In total, 440 subjects participated in the study. PPMS was associated with ever smoking cigarettes [OR = 2.48; confidence interval (CI) = 1.44-4.27], and passive smoking (OR = 2.20; CI = 1.34-3.62). However, having ever smoked waterpipe was not significantly associated with PPMS risk (OR = 1.19; CI = 0.62-2.26). Those who had all 3 types of smoking had an accumulative OR that was 10.45 times higher than that in individuals without any type of smoking (OR: 10.45; 95% CI = 3.5-31.2). We did not find any significant association between PPMS risk and substance abuse and alcohol consumption. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking and being exposed to passive smoking are important risk factors for developing PPMS; in addition, the use of 3 types of smoking, showed an OR higher than that in those without any smoking. Considering the global increase in tobacco smoking, this finding emphasizes the importance of interventional programs for the prevention of tobacco smoking.

Factors associated with the number of months of delaying in multiple sclerosis diagnosis: Comparison of count regression models.

Background: It may take a long time to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS) since the emergence of primary symptoms. This study aimed to use count regression models to compare their fit and to identify factors affecting delay in the diagnosis of MS. Methods: Data were collected from the Nationwide MS Registry of Iran (NMSRI) for Mazandaran Province, Iran, using census sampling until April 2022. The four models of Poisson regression, negative binomial (NB) regression, zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression, and zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression were used in this study. Results: In this study on 2894 patients, 74.0% were women, and 8.5% had a family history of MS. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the patients' age was 34.96 ± 9.41 years, and the mean delay in diagnosis was 12.32 ± 33.26 months, with a median of 0 (Q1-Q3: 0-9). The NB regression model showed the best performance, and factors, including a history of hospitalization and the year of symptom onset, had significant effects on a delayed diagnosis. Besides, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was significantly different before and after 2017; it was also associated with sex, type of MS, and history of hospitalization. Conclusion: The mean diagnostic delay and the mean age of MS diagnosis are critical in Mazandaran Province. Patients with MS develop the disease at an early age and are diagnosed with a long delay. The time of symptom onset is a significant factor in the diagnosis of MS, and in recent years, there have been improvements in the diagnostic process.

Comparison of side effects of the dose-1 of AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines in patients with multiple sclerosis in Kermanshah, Iran (2021).

Background: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is recommended for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated the side effects of Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines in MS patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study among MS patients in Kermanshah province, Iran, who received Sinopharm or AstraZeneca vaccine, sampling was performed through convenience sampling according to the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI). Demographic and clinical information of the participants and data on the side effects of vaccines were collected by telephone after the first dose. The data were analyzed in SPSS software. Results: 264 vaccinated MS patients (217 with Sinopharm and 47 with AstraZeneca) were studied. In the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca groups, respectively, 58.5% and 73.3% of patients had side effects that were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.064). In the AstraZeneca group, the severity of side effects and prevalence of taking painkillers were significantly higher (P < 0.050) and the interval between vaccination and side effects onset was significantly shorter (P = 0.013). The most commonly experienced side effects in the Sinopharm group were fatigue (29.0%), myalgia (24.9%), fever (24.0%), and headache (21.7%), and in the AstraZeneca group were fever (59.6%), chills (51.1%), myalgia (40.4%), and fatigue (34.0%). Logistic regression by controlling for confounding variables showed that considering some factors as confounding factors did not show a significant difference between the 2 vaccines in the experience of side effects (P = 0.104). Conclusion: The AstraZeneca vaccine caused more severe side effects in MS patients than the Sinopharm vaccine. Most of the side effects were moderate in severity and transient.

The incidence and prevalence of crude and familial multiple sclerosis in Tehran, Iran in 2021.

Our registry-based cross-sectional study covered 27,508 PwMS in Tehran with a point incidence rate and prevalence of 7.87 and 194.62 per 100,000 in 2021, respectively. We found that the incidence and prevalence of MS in Tehran are still on an upward trend which requires general attention and measures to overcome. The proportion of men with a family history of MS was significantly higher. Whilst IMSS deals with economic difficulties, it continues to collect new PwMS to reach regional-level coverage in Tehran for better MS care services.

The effects of different types of smoking on recovery from attack in hospitalized multiple sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Several studies demonstrated the association between tobacco smoking and higher risk and increased progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Data about the effect of smoking during the recovery from MS attacks is limited. Furthermore, different types of tobacco exposures such as water pipe and passive smoking are not well assessed separately. So this study evaluated the effect of different types of smokes, cigarette and water pipe as well as passive smoking on the function recovery of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) attacks METHODS: This cohort study evaluated the adult patients with RRMS and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) < 5 in the attack phase. Patients were divided into two groups: smokers and non-smokers. The smokers included those who use cigarette, water pipe as well as passive smokers as subgroups for more analyses later. EDSS was monitored after relapse and two months after relapse. Change of EDSS considered as the criteria for functional recovery. The correlation between the amount of consumption and disability level was assessed among smokers by Pearson's correlation test. While, the difference of EDSS between smoker and non-smoker were assessed by Independent samples T-test. RESULTS: 142 patients were evaluated. 79 (55.6%) were smokers (43% male) while 63 (44.4%) were non-smokers (36.5% male). There was a statistically significant difference in change of EDSS between smoker and non-smoker groups, which change of EDSS was higher in non-smoker (-2.62 ± 0.90 non-smoker vs. -1.75 ± 0.76 smoker, P < 0.001). Also, only there was a significantly lesser decline in EDSS after two months in the cigarette smokers in subgroups analyses (P < 0.001). A correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the number per day of cigarette smoking and EDSS after relapse (r = 0.3, P = 0.03) and a significant positive correlation between minutes per month of smoking of water pipe and EDSS two months after relapse (r =  0.6 , P > 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tobacco smoking especially cigarette smoking is associated with a negative effect on recovery from the attack in patients with RRMS.

Association of body mass index and physical activity with fatigue, depression, and anxiety among Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Depression, fatigue, and anxiety are three common clinical comorbidities of multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the role of physical activity (PA) level and body mass index (BMI) as modifiable lifestyle factors in these three comorbidities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the MS specialist clinic of Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Demographic and clinical data were collected. BMI was categorized in accordance with the WHO's standard classification. Physical activity (PA) level and sitting time per day were obtained using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Fatigue, anxiety, and depression scores were measured using the Persian version of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck's Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaires, respectively. The correlation between the metabolic equivalent of tasks (MET), BMI, and daily sitting hours with depression, anxiety, and fatigue were checked using the linear regression test. The normal BMI group was considered a reference, and the difference in quantitative variables between the reference and the other groups was assessed using an independent sample t-test. Physical activity was classified with tertiles, and the difference in depression, anxiety, and fatigue between the PA groups was evaluated by a one-way ANOVA test. Results: In total, 85 MS patients were recruited for the study. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 39.07 ± 8.84 years, and 72.9% (n: 62) of them were female. The fatigue score was directly correlated with BMI (P: 0.03; r: 0.23) and sitting hours per day (P: 0.01; r: 0.26) and indirectly correlated with PA level (P < 0.01; r: -0.33). Higher depression scores were significantly correlated with elevated daily sitting hours (P: 0.01; r: 0.27). However, the correlation between depression with PA and BMI was not meaningful (p > 0.05). Higher anxiety scores were correlated with BMI (P: 0.01; r: 0.27) and lower PA (P: 0.01; r: -0.26). The correlation between anxiety and sitting hours per day was not significant (p > 0.05). Patients in the type I obesity group had significantly higher depression scores than the normal weight group (23.67 ± 2.30 vs. 14.05 ± 9.12; P: 0.001). Fatigue (32.61 ± 14.18 vs. 52.40 ± 12.42; P: <0.01) and anxiety (14.66 ± 9.68 vs. 27.80 ± 15.48; P: 0.01) scores were significantly greater among participants in the type II obesity group in comparison with the normal weight group. Fatigue (P: 0.01) and anxiety (P: 0.03) scores were significantly different in the three levels of PA, but no significant difference was found in the depression score (P: 0.17). Conclusion: Our data suggest that a physically active lifestyle and being in the normal weight category are possible factors that lead to lower depression, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Registry System of Iran (NMSRI): aspects and methodological dimensions.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as one of the most common causes of disability around the world requires a uniform standardized information registry system to help policy-makers systematically plan for care quality improvements. The aim of this study is to verify aspects and methodological scopes of MS registry system in Iran. METHODS: The National MS Registry System in Iran (NMSRI) is a population-based registry system that systemically identifies and collects all MS patients' data in a specific geographical area. It supports 22 medical science universities and 13 MS societies in 18 provinces of Iran. The information items taken from each patient to collect the data set and data are gathered from all available sources including public and private hospitals, clinics, neurologists' offices, and all MS societies. They are recorded in District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) software. DISCUSSION: The NMSRI is a successful system of collecting MS patients' data. It can lead to positive results, such as updating patients' data to receive new treatments, fair allocation of treatment budgets, and providing researchers with novel ideas to carry out research projects.

COVID-19 and its implications on the clinico-radiological course of multiple sclerosis: A case-control study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease that has been related to several risk factors such as various viral infections. We carried out this study in order to establish a relationship between COVID-19 infection and MS severity. Methods: In a case-control study, we recruited patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients were divided into two groups based on positive COVID-19 PCR at the end of the enrollment phase. Each patient was prospectively followed for 12 months. Demographical, clinical, and past medical history were collected during routine clinical practice. Assessments were performed every six months; MRI was performed at enrollment and 12 months later. Results: Three hundred and sixty-two patients participated in this study. MS patients with COVID-19 infection had significantly higher increases in the number of MRI lesions (p: 0.019, OR(CI): 6.37(1.54-26.34)) and EDSS scores (p: 0.017), but no difference was found in total annual relapses or relapse rates. COVID-19 infections were positively correlated with EDSS progression (p: 0.02) and the number of new MRI lesions (p: 0.004) and predicted the likelihood of the number of new MRI lesions by an odds of 5.92 (p: 0.018). Conclusion: COVID-19 may lead to higher disability scores in the RRMS population and is associated with developing new Gd-enhancing lesions in MRI imaging. However, no difference was observed between the groups regarding the number of relapses during follow-up.

Antecedentes: La esclerosis múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad inmunomediada que se ha relacionado con varios factores de riesgo, como diversas infecciones virales. Realizamos este estudio para establecer una relación entre la infección por COVID-19 y la gravedad de la EM. Métodos: En un estudio de casos y controles, reclutamos pacientes con esclerosis múltiple remitente-recurrente (EMRR). Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos según la PCR positiva para COVID-19 al final de la fase de inscripción. Cada paciente fue seguido prospectivamente durante 12 meses. Los antecedentes demográficos, clínicos y médicos anteriores se recogieron durante la práctica clínica habitual. Las evaluaciones se realizaron cada 6 meses. La resonancia magnética se realizó en el momento de la inscripción y 12 meses después. Resultados: Trescientos sesenta y dos pacientes participaron en este estudio. Los pacientes con EM con infección por COVID-19 tuvieron aumentos significativamente más altos en el número de lesiones de resonancia magnética (p = 0,019; OR = 6,37 [IC 95%: 1,54-26,34]) y puntajes EDSS (p = 0,017), pero no se encontraron diferencias en el total de recaídas anuales o en las tasas de recaída. Las infecciones por COVID-19 se correlacionaron positivamente con la progresión de EDSS (p = 0,02) y la cantidad de nuevas lesiones en la resonancia magnética (p = 0,004) y predijeron la probabilidad de la cantidad de nuevas lesiones en la resonancia magnética con una probabilidad de 5,92 (p = 0,018). Conclusión: COVID-19 puede conducir a puntajes de discapacidad más altos en la población de EMRR y está asociado con el desarrollo de nuevas lesiones realzadas con Gd en imágenes de resonancia magnética. Sin embargo, no se observó diferencia entre los grupos en cuanto al número de recaídas durante el seguimiento.

COVID-19 and its implications on the clinico-radiological course of multiple sclerosis: A case–control study / COVID-19 y sus implicaciones en el curso clínico-radiológico de la esclerosis múltiple: un estudio de casos y controles

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease that has been related to several risk factors such as various viral infections. We carried out this study in order to establish a relationship between COVID-19 infection and MS severity.MethodsIn a case–control study, we recruited patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Patients were divided into two groups based on positive COVID-19 PCR at the end of the enrollment phase. Each patient was prospectively followed for 12 months. Demographical, clinical, and past medical history were collected during routine clinical practice. Assessments were performed every six months; MRI was performed at enrollment and 12 months later.ResultsThree hundred and sixty-two patients participated in this study. MS patients with COVID-19 infection had significantly higher increases in the number of MRI lesions (p: 0.019, OR(CI): 6.37(1.54–26.34)) and EDSS scores (p: 0.017), but no difference was found in total annual relapses or relapse rates. COVID-19 infections were positively correlated with EDSS progression (p: 0.02) and the number of new MRI lesions (p: 0.004) and predicted the likelihood of the number of new MRI lesions by an odds of 5.92 (p: 0.018).ConclusionCOVID-19 may lead to higher disability scores in the RRMS population and is associated with developing new Gd-enhancing lesions in MRI imaging. However, no difference was observed between the groups regarding the number of relapses during follow-up. (AU)

Antecedentes: La esclerosis múltiple (EM) es una enfermedad inmunomediada que se ha relacionado con varios factores de riesgo, como diversas infecciones virales. Realizamos este estudio para establecer una relación entre la infección por COVID-19 y la gravedad de la EM.MétodosEn un estudio de casos y controles, reclutamos pacientes con esclerosis múltiple remitente-recurrente (EMRR). Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos según la PCR positiva para COVID-19 al final de la fase de inscripción. Cada paciente fue seguido prospectivamente durante 12 meses. Los antecedentes demográficos, clínicos y médicos anteriores se recogieron durante la práctica clínica habitual. Las evaluaciones se realizaron cada 6 meses. La resonancia magnética se realizó en el momento de la inscripción y 12 meses después.ResultadosTrescientos sesenta y dos pacientes participaron en este estudio. Los pacientes con EM con infección por COVID-19 tuvieron aumentos significativamente más altos en el número de lesiones de resonancia magnética (p=0,019; OR=6,37 [IC 95%: 1,54-26,34]) y puntajes EDSS (p=0,017), pero no se encontraron diferencias en el total de recaídas anuales o en las tasas de recaída. Las infecciones por COVID-19 se correlacionaron positivamente con la progresión de EDSS (p=0,02) y la cantidad de nuevas lesiones en la resonancia magnética (p=0,004) y predijeron la probabilidad de la cantidad de nuevas lesiones en la resonancia magnética con una probabilidad de 5,92 (p=0,018).ConclusiónCOVID-19 puede conducir a puntajes de discapacidad más altos en la población de EMRR y está asociado con el desarrollo de nuevas lesiones realzadas con Gd en imágenes de resonancia magnética. Sin embargo, no se observó diferencia entre los grupos en cuanto al número de recaídas durante el seguimiento. (AU)

Late-onset multiple sclerosis in Iran: A report on demographic and disease characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Today, it is estimated that around 5% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are in the late-onset category (age at disease onset ≥ 50). Diagnosis and treatment in this group could be challenging. Here, we report the latest update on the characteristics of Iranian patients with late-onset MS (LOMS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the information provided by the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI). The registrars from 14 provinces entered data of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS by neurologists. Patients with disease onset at or later than 50 years of age were considered LOMS. RESULTS: Of 20,036 records, the late-onset category included 321 patients (1.6%). The age-standardized LOMS prevalence was around 75 per 100,000 people. 215 patients (67%) were female. Median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was 3 (interquartile range: 1.5-5). The majority of the cases (56%) suffered from relapsing-remitting (RR) course while 20% were diagnosed with primary progressive (PP) MS. Significantly higher proportion of male sex, PPMS, and higher EDSS were seen in the late-onset group compared with early-onset and adult-onset cases (p-value < 0.05). Seventy-five (23%) patients did not receive any disease-modifying treatment. DISCUSSION: The more prominent degenerative pathology of LOMS may be the underlying mechanism of the observed differences in comparison to non-LOMS. CONCLUSION: There are substantial differences and knowledge gaps regarding LOMS which could be the subject of further research.